Defense Application: Destruction of Chemical Weapon

Conax created a unique, reliable integral port design, eliminating potential leaks and the need for a conventional sealing gland body, for use in explosive destruction systems.

Customer Requirement

Sandia National Laboratories, under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army Nonstockpile Chemical Material Program, has designed a transportable explosive destruction system (EDS) used in disposal of chemical warfare material in an environmentally sound manner. The system is used in three major scenarios: when a chemical munition is deemed unsafe to transport or store by routine means; when a stored munition is determined to be unsafe for continued storage; or when the limited quantity of munitions requiring destruction do not justify the use of other destruction systems.

The EDS consists of an oscillating vessel that contains the blast and fragments and serves as the container for the chemical neutralization process; a system of linear and conical charges to open the munition; a chemical storage and feed system to supply reagents and water to the containment vessel; and a waste handling system for draining and storage of the treated effluent. The munition is secured in the containment vessel. The munition is then opened and the burster destroyed with a combination of linear and conical shaped charges. Once exposed, the chemical agent is neutralized with caustic chemicals inside the vessel, so no transfer or release of the untreated agent is necessary. The effluent is then disposed of in an environmentally safe manner.

Conax became involved when Sandia needed a means to pass power conductors for the igniter cables through a 2.75″ stainless steel flange. The voltage and pressure requirements were 15kV, 22kpsi pressure for 2 mS; then hold at 50 psi at 100º F (38º C).

Conax SolutionConax drills a port for each feedthrough into the customer-provided forged flange and embeds an EGT gland in each port. A Midlock (MK) cap with a male straight thread is used to compress the EGT sealant directly into the port machined in the flange. This unique integral port design eliminates the need for a conventional sealing gland body and eliminates a potential leak path. High reliability and seal integrity is important for safety reasons in this dangerous application.